25 Date Night Food Ideas to Make Staying In Feel Special

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Skip the reservations and enjoy a cozy night at home with these date night food ideas that are romantic, flavorful, and easy to make.

Date Night Food Ideas BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA BY THE COOKIN CHICKS
Date Night Food Ideas. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta. Photo Credit: The Cookin Chicks

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From elegant pastas to sizzling skillet meals and shareable desserts, these recipes will turn your date night into something unforgettable.

Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola

new year's day meal
Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Juicy steak, tender pasta, and a rich gorgonzola sauce all on one plate. It feels like a fancy restaurant dinner, but you don’t have to leave your home to enjoy it.

Get The Recipe: Olive Garden Steak Gorgonzola

Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

A bowl of noodles with sauce and chopsticks.
INSTANT POT SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

All the slow cooked flavor of classic Bolognese in a fraction of the time. Itโ€™s saucy, comforting, and perfect for date night.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

chocolate covered strawberries for valentines day
Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Simple, romantic, and always a good idea. These chocolate covered strawberries are easy to dip and even more fun to share straight from the plate.

Get The Recipe: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant

Healthy dinner recipes
VEGAN STUFFED EGGPLANT. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Roasted eggplant boats filled with a hearty, Mediterranean-inspired mixture. Itโ€™s a lighter, veggie-forward option that still feels special enough for date night.

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Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast

Two cooked chicken breasts stuffed with broccoli, garnished with herbs, served on a white plate with a brown rim.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Chicken breasts are filled with cheesy broccoli and baked until melty and juicy. Itโ€™s cozy, flavorful, and tastes like something youโ€™d order out, without the bill.

Get The Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast

Bananas Foster Croissant Bread Pudding

This New Orleans inspired Bananas Foster Croissant Bread Pudding with caramel sauce is as delicious as it is decadent. Here's how to make this Food + Words original.
Bananas Foster Croissant Bread Pudding. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Flaky croissants, caramelized bananas, and a warm, custardy base. This dessert is rich, buttery, and made for enjoying with your date.

Get The Recipe: Bananas Foster Croissant Bread Pudding

Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies

4th of July vegetarian recipes
Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Briny olives, capers, and a bold tomato sauce give this pasta big personality. Itโ€™s an easy stovetop dinner that you can make to impress your dress.

Get The Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies

Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi

A bowl of linguine pasta topped with shrimp and garnished with parsley, perfect for last-minute dinner ideas.
DAIRY-FREE SHRIMP SCAMPI. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Garlicky shrimp in a bright, lemony sauce, no dairy needed. Spoon it over pasta and you have a light restaurant-style meal to enjoy at home.

Get The Recipe: Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi

Marry Me Chicken

dinner ideas for late night workers
MARRY ME CHICKEN TIKTOK RECIPE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and plenty of flavor in every bite. This is one of those dishes that tastes like it came from a restaurant.

Get The Recipe: Marry Me Chicken

One Pot French Onion Pasta

Weekday Dinner Ideas
One Pot French Onion Pasta. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

All the rich, caramelized onion flavor of French onion soup turned into a tasty pasta dinner. Itโ€™s cozy, packed with flavor, and easy to make.

Get The Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta

Strawberry Spoon Cake

What To Serve With Strawberry Spoon Cake
Strawberry Spoon Cake. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Serve this strawberry spoon cake for dessert with your romantic meal and everyone will be happy. It’s simple, sweet, and delicious.

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One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

step 6 chicken egg roll in a bowl
One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

All the flavors of your favorite takeout egg rolls in an easy skillet dinner. Itโ€™s savory, crunchy, and perfect for eating straight from the bowl while you watch a movie.

Get The Recipe: One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Heart-Shaped Brownies

How To Store Heart-Shaped Brownies
Heart-Shaped Brownies. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Fudgy brownies cut into cute hearts for a simple sweet treat. Add some festive heart shaped sprinkles for even more fun.

Get The Recipe: Heart-Shaped Brownies

Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast

What to Serve with Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast
Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Slow-roasted, tender, and full of rich flavor, this prime rib is a showstopper. Slice it at the table for a date night that feels extra special.

Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast

Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese

baked salmon with mayo and cheese
Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Flaky salmon topped with a creamy, cheesy layer that bakes up golden. Itโ€™s quick to put together and feels elegant enough for a special night in.

Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon with Mayo and Cheese

Easy Air Fryer Peaches

Fruits that start with M
Easy Air Fryer Peaches. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Warm, caramelized peaches made in the air fryer with almost no effort. Add a scoop of ice cream and youโ€™ve got a simple dessert that’s delicious.

Get The Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Peaches

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

summer pasta recipes
VEGAN MUSHROOM STROGANOFF. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Creamy, savory sauce wrapped around tender mushrooms and noodles. Itโ€™s a plant-based comfort dish that still feels rich and satisfying.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

Italian Zucchini Boats

A hand serving stuffed zucchini boats filled with ground meat, tomatoes, black olives, and melted cheese from a baking dish. Fresh cherry tomatoes and basil are in the background.
Italian Zucchini Boats. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Zucchini halves loaded with a flavorful Italian filling and baked until tender. Theyโ€™re colorful, lighter than takeout, and still feel fun to eat.

Get The Recipe: Italian Zucchini Boats

Gnocchi with Mushrooms

Easy Gnocchi with Mushrooms by Happy Food Healthy Life
Easy Gnocchi with Mushrooms. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Soft, pillowy gnocchi tossed with sautรฉed mushrooms in a simple sauce. Itโ€™s a cozy, stay in kind of dish that comes together quickly on the stove.

Get The Recipe: Gnocchi with Mushrooms

Valentine Truffles

A plate of red, sprinkle-covered truffles, perfect February treats, is stacked next to a glass bottle of milk and a jar of chocolate chips on a marble surface.
Valentine Truffles. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Silky, chocolatey truffles rolled in heart shaped sprinkles. Theyโ€™re bite-sized, rich, and perfect for nibbling on between glasses of wine.

Get The Recipe: Valentine Truffles

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon by Quick Prep Recipes
Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon. Photo Credit: Quick Prep Recipes

Tender steak wrapped in crispy bacon for the ultimate main dish. It looks impressive on the plate but cooks up quickly in a skillet or oven.

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Mushroom Pappardelle

Mushroom Pappardelle by Little Nonni
Mushroom Pappardelle. Photo Credit: Little Nonni

Wide ribbons of pasta tossed with buttery, garlicky mushrooms. Itโ€™s earthy, hearty, and made for a romantic night in.

Get The Recipe: Mushroom Pappardelle

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA BY THE COOKIN CHICKS
BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA. PHOTO CREDIT: THE COOKIN CHICKS.

Juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and pasta all tossed together. This chicken and pasta dish is the perfect addition to your date night food ideas.

Get The Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

White Wine Mac and Cheese

White Wine Mac and Cheese by Ericas Recipes
White Wine Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

Classic creamy mac and cheese with a splash of white wine for a grown up twist. It’ll go great with a meaty main dish for your fancy dinner.

Get The Recipe: White Wine Mac and Cheese

Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Marinated Pork Tenderloin by The Fresh Cooky
Marinated Pork Tenderloin. Photo Credit: The Fresh Cooky

Pork tenderloin soaked in a flavorful marinade and roasted until juicy. Slice it thin, add your favorite sides, and youโ€™ve got an unforgettable main dish to enjoy with your date.

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Make staying in better than going out with these date night food ideas. From romantic main dishes to sweet desserts to share, these date night foods will make the evening special.

25 Date Night Desserts to Sweeten Every Moment Together

Date Night Desserts
Date Night Desserts. Maple Panna Cotta. Photo Credit: Sugar and Soul

End the evening with these date night desserts. If youโ€™re planning a cozy night in and an unforgettable date, these desserts will help you end the night on a sweet note.

Read it here: 25 Date Night Desserts to Sweeten Every Moment Together

25 Date Night Dinner Recipes So Good, Youโ€™ll Skip Going Out

date night dinner recipes
Date Night Dinner Recipes. Photo Credit: Vegan Huggs.

Turn a regular evening into something unforgettable with these date night dinner recipes. This list includes delicious tacos, pastas, steaks, and more.

Read it here: 25 Date Night Dinner Recipes So Good, Youโ€™ll Skip Going Out

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

A woman in a kitchen writes on a notepad beside a grocery bag with a Walmart logo and various groceries on the counter.
Photo Credit: La Passion Voutee.

Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.

Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

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